Low pressure over Bay, more rains likely today

BHUBANESWAR: Intermittent rains lashed large parts of the State as a low pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal on Thursday Since the system was closer to Bangladesh and Gangetic West Bengal region, interior and northern parts of Orissa received incessant showers.  The rains, however, were not confined to the these regions. The weather office said, western districts received heavy showers.  Both Hirakud and Sambalpur recorded over 8 cm rain since morning. So did Kalahandi, Phulbani and  Angul. Under the impact of the low pressure, coastal Orissa pockets also received light rains throughout the day. Puri, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda and Ganjam reported continuous drizzle.The weather office said more showers are expected in the next 24 hours. With a strong westerly breeze blowing across the State, the rainfall will spread across the district. While strong wind reaching a speed of 50 km per hour will blow along the coast, fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea.